ANDEAN ORIGINS - TOUR OPERATOR
ANDEAN ORIGINS was created by a team of well-known specialists in the tourism field, all with recognized backgrounds. Here is a short description of who they are:
Mario Canessa
Born in Lima, since 1978 Mario Canessa has been known in the international market as an experienced Adventure Travel operator in South America. As an economist who graduated in Zurich, Switzerland, he is fluent in English, German, French, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish, with some Quechua knowledge. He has founded and directed the adventure travel department of Hirca in Peru, later moving to Argentina (1989) and creating and directing Kallpa Tour Operator for 16 years. Together with other mountain climbers in the sixties, they climbed several mountains in the Andes. Also since 14 years he started developing golf tours in Argentina and in other South American countries. Back in Peru in 2004, he has created Andean Origins, developing new special and interesting cultural and adventure tours in rather unknown areas as well as golf tours in Peru and Bolivia. Mario is Andean Origins General Manager; He is using his vast experience to provide your clients with the best personalized service.
Rudi Winsberg
Rudi was born and raised in Lima where he developed a profound interest in the Peruvian ancient cultures. After graduating from college, Rudi moved to New York City to work for the United Nations where he met people from different cultures and backgrounds.
Later on, still in NYC, he worked for different multinationals holding managerial positions in international sales and marketing. After moving back to Peru, a few years ago, he decided to follow his passion for travel and adventure and now he is a member and partner of the Andean Origins family.
Fluent in English and Portuguese, Rudi enjoys life in the outdoors and is an avid sportsman. Among his favorite sports are golf, mountain bicycling, motorcycling, paragliding, kayaking, snowboarding, horseback riding, swimming and running.
He is our Product Manager, developing new and interesting subjects to be integrated to our tour offer.
Having travelled extensively throughout the world for both business and leisure he knows very well the dos and don´ts of the travel industry. Rudi is a believer in the importance of a top quality, reliable and friendly service. The kind of service you can expect from all of Andean Origins staff and associates.
Carmen Canessa
In 1978, together with Mario, she founded and was in charge of the operations department of Hirca in Peru, later moving to Argentina (1989) and creating, again with Mario, Kallpa Tour Operator. She climbed several mountains in the Andes with Mario and Jose in the sixties, and now she is part of Andean Origins, directing the operations department. With her vast experience she guarantees the best possible operation for your clients.
Carlos Velaochaga
Nature? South American Camelids (llamas and alpacas)? Orchids? Feasts? Religions? Shamanism? Anthropology? Trekking? Carlos Velaochaga has a lifelong experience in all of these. We can easily include to most common visits like Machu Picchu, of course, but always, include the perspective of the anthropologist offering a wider view of Peru and South America.
An old friend of Mario Canessa and man of multiple talents, Carlos is a professor of anthropology and Peruvian culture, a specialist in rural development, and a scholar of Peru's ethnic history, folklore and music. He wrote several books and newspaper articles about Peruvian society and culture. As an experienced trip leader and guide, Carlos has led adventure treks in the Andes for almost 25 years, and his work in the tourism industry goes back some 35 years. He is Director of a Peruvian NGO, the Organization for the Support of Tourism Development. Carlos has traveled the world, and is fluent in English, with some knowledge of French and Quechua. With Carlos as your guide, you are certain to experience an outstanding, educational Andean journey.
Nora Arque
Nora is Cuzco native, where she was born in 1984. She is fluent in English and has advanced studies in French. For more then a year she has worked for Carmen Canessa in the Operations Department, always receiving excellent reports from the passengers she assisted. She has also done an advanced quotations course for developing tailor-made tours and has a quite extensive knowledge of Peru's main highlights and services. Norita, as we call her, is responsible for the operations coordination.
Mayra Villa
Born and raised in Cusco, Mayra has developed a profound interest in the Andean ancient cultures. She finished her Tourism Management studies, and is fluent in English. Mayra works in our operations department and has a vast experience in assisting our passengers who really love her kindness and professionalism.


